Soldier Donates Kidney To Stranger

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A Colorado woman is healing after she received a kidney donation from a complete stranger.

The donor said he did it simply because it was the right thing to do.

Kelsey Crider's mom, Debbie, said that it still gives her goosebumps that Nate Toci just happened to drive by the mile high billboard seeking a donor and decided to step up.

"It's a digital sign and it`s on for 8 seconds," she said. "8 seconds and then it goes away and the next one comes up."

Toci said he was hoping that he could be a donor. Tests later showed that he was the perfect match.

"I felt like I had to do it. It wasn`t a question," he said. "It was like I'm doing this. Whatever it takes."

He did it with the mentality of a soldier, which is only fitting since he was in the Army Reserves.

"I think that's just the American mentality you know," Toci said. "Not just doing something -- just asking what else can you do for somebody else."

Kelsey Crider was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 17. The now 26 year old from Boulder has now gone through three transplants, with yet another rejection last year. Nate is her fourth donor, and by far the youngest.

The pair underwent surgery two days after Toci turned 21.

"Our coordinators asked if we wanted to meet each other," said Kelsey Crider. "I'm like 'Of course I want to see the person giving me a kidney!'"

During their recovery time at University of Colorado hospital, the pair realized they had more in common than just blood type.

"We've had movie days because we're really into Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit," Kelsey Crider said.

She said now he feels more like family.

"Nate is the kind of guy that will just go out and give himself to other people," she said.

He's a hero now with one less kidney, but a whole lot more heart.

"It gave me such good hopes for the future, not just for my daughter but for the country," Debbie Crider said. "It's like yeah there are good people out there."

However, Toci downplayed his role.

"I don't think I'm a special person," he said. "I think anybody could do this."